Andrew was a fisherman by trade, born in Bethsaida. A [[disciple]] of [[John the Forerunner]], he left St. John to follow [[Jesus Christ]] following his [[baptism]] and brought along his brother, the [[Apostle Peter]]. Both are numbered among the [[Apostles|Twelve Great Apostles]]. After [[Pentecost]], the lot fell to St. Andrew to preach in:

Andrew was a fisherman by trade, born in Bethsaida. A [[disciple]] of [[John the Forerunner]], he left St. John to follow [[Jesus Christ]] following his [[baptism]] and brought along his brother, the [[Apostle Peter]]. Both are numbered among the [[Apostles|Twelve Great Apostles]]. After [[Pentecost]], the lot fell to St. Andrew to preach in:

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*Byzantium: he appointed St. [[Apostle Stachys|Stachys]] as its first [[bishop]]

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*[[Byzantium]]: he appointed St. [[Apostle Stachys|Stachys]] as its first [[bishop]]

*Thrace, Peloponnese, Greece, and Epirus: he [[conversion|converted]] many to the Faith and [[ordination|ordained]] [[bishop]]s and [[priest]]s for them

*Thrace, Peloponnese, Greece, and Epirus: he [[conversion|converted]] many to the Faith and [[ordination|ordained]] [[bishop]]s and [[priest]]s for them

*Georgia: he entered [[Church of Georgia|Georgia]] from Ajara, preached Christianity in Atsquri, built small church there and left miracle-working icon of [[Theotokos]].

*Georgia: he entered [[Church of Georgia|Georgia]] from Ajara, preached Christianity in Atsquri, built small church there and left miracle-working icon of [[Theotokos]].

Georgia: he entered Georgia from Ajara, preached Christianity in Atsquri, built small church there and left miracle-working icon of Theotokos.

Russian lands: in Kiev he planted a cross on one of the high hills of Kiev, and he prophesied a city that would have many golden-domed churches, and a bright Christian future for the Russian people.

St. Andrew was martyred in Peloponnese, in the city of Patras. The Proconsul Aegeates' family believed in the miracles and preaching of St. Andrew, and the enraged Proconsul tortured and crucified St. Andrew. The new converts wanted to remove him from his cross, but the saint would not allow them. Instead, he comforted them from the cross and as he prayed an extraordinary light encompassed him for about a half hour. When it left, he gave up his soul. It was the year 62 AD.

St. Andrew's relics were taken to Constantinople, his head to Rome and a hand to Moscow.